Front Tandem Torsion Bar Suspension for Non-Driving Axles

In 1972 a new truck weight law in Quebec and Ontario, Canada allowed 80,000 lbs. and 76,000 lbs. G.V.W. divided evenly on four axles, giving 20,000 lbs. or 19,000 lbs. per axle. In order to take advantage of this law, Kenworth Truck Company developed a tandem front axle suspension using torsion bars as the suspension element. To steer the axles, dual integral power steering gears were chosen. A brief description of the steering setup will also be given in this paper.